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The Great Ocean Road is a major Australia tourist attraction that can be found in the southern Victoria region. Stretching for 150 miles, this road follows along the coastline between the cities of Torquay and Warrnambool, and its combination of beautiful views and historical context lure thousands of visitors each year. Drivers who take to the route see stunning vistas of the coast, especially along the seventeen-mile link between Princeton and Peterborough. Among the main attractions along this link is the wonderful Port Campbell National Park.

The road’s history surprises some travelers, who may have expected it to be solely created for tourism. The Great Ocean Road was built by soldiers returning home from war between the years of 1919 and 1932. In many ways, the project was intended to provide the soldiers with a means of income after returning home from battle, and the finished product has become a war memorial of sorts. Those who choose to drive along the entire stretch of the Great Ocean Road will pass cliffs, rainforest areas, beaches, and plenty of amazing rock formations. There are also scenic mountain ranges and whale lookouts along the route, and drivers can find restaurants and hotels in several area settlements.

Map of the Great Ocean Road

Map of the Great Ocean Road

If you consult a map of the Great Ocean Road, you’ll see several towns along its coastal route. Moving from east to west, these towns include Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Peterborough, and Warrnambool, and the attractions on the road are numerous. Examples include the Surfworld Museum and Bells Beach, both of which are in Torquay. Boutiques await in Lorne, and Apollo Bay offers some delightful beaches. Drivers might also be tempted to check out the trails at the Angahook-Lorne State Park near Anglesea, to stroll along the Maits Rest Rainforest Boardwalk near Apollo Bay, or to visit the Cape Otway Lightstation, which is also in the Apollo Bay area. However, the biggest attraction along the Great Ocean Road is Port Campbell National Park. Found towards the western end, it boasts picturesque cliffs and impressive coastal rock sculptures. Some of these rock sculptures are found just offshore and rise up from the ocean; among them is the renowned series of rock pillars that is collectively known as the Twelve Apostles.

Great Ocean Road Tours

Great Ocean Road Tours

The best way to experience the Great Ocean Road is to drive along it yourself. You can take things at your own pace and stop wherever your heart desires. That being said, many tourists opt instead to arrange a guided tour of the renowned road. There are many options to select from, including multi-day tours and tours that include a helicopter or plane ride over the Twelve Apostles. Motorcycle or bus tours are options as well, and if you’re looking to make surfing your main activity, there are organized options for this as well. The Great Ocean Road tours pretty much offer something for everyone, and if you can’t find a pre-organized excursion that you like, you can always look to arrange a more personalized tour experience.

Great Ocean Road Lodging

Great Ocean Road Lodging

Accommodations along the Great Ocean Road, as is true of the tours, comes in a variety of forms. There are standard hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfast inns, apartments, cottages, and spacious home rentals. Travelers along the Great Ocean Road can also find campgrounds, some of which feature RV sites and/or cabins, and there are even farm stay options. In other words, finding area accommodations that match your preference shouldn’t be difficult. Most travelers pick towns such as Torquay or Apollo Bay and check out the local options for hotels on the Great Ocean Road, as these properties are often easier to find and book ahead of time, particularly for international travelers.